Hello everyone, I am new to this site. I have always used this as a reference when taking my excelsior Exams so I decided that Ill start one of my own and share my experiences with Excelsior College. I am an LVN and reside in Texas. I am currently enrolled in the Excelsior Nursing ADN program. I have successfully tested out in the first 2 exams. Transitions to the professional nurse role with a B and yesterday I just took the Health safety exam and passed with an A!! Now to move on to Foundations in nursing/ Chronicity.. My advice for anyone is to take the time to study. Its especially hard when you work full time and have kids but hey we want to be RNs right? Anyways as long as the motivation is there (since its self study) we will be fine!!
For the transitions to nursing role I purchased the books and actually read the the chapters according to the content guide. This material is VERY dry. To me it was really discouraging because the material was not interesting to me at all and I felt like it wasnt sticking. I also used studygroup notes as well and after finishing all the chapters i solely studied off that material. I used the content guide that excelsior provides and I went through the studygroup notes and highlighted and made sure the material was following. I HIGHLY recommend TAKING THE PRACTICE EXAMS. Its annoying I know, we've already paid a ton to register and to even taking the exam and now we have to pay 75$ for the practice exam too?! DO IT. Some of the questions are on the actual test. Dont be discouraged if you fail them. I got a 45% on the from A and then a 56% on Form B the night before my exam@!!!. i though for sure I was doomed but i just bit the bullet and took the exam and long behold I got a B! I cant remember precisely what was on the exam but def know the major influences in nursing.
For the Health safety exam I Purchased the Study group notes and studied on this. I studied for 2 weeks. I also purchased the practice exams. I took Form A practice exam before I even started to study. I just wanted to see how much material I actually new. I got a 75% on that one. Then I began studying. Most of this stuff is a review, but dont underestimate this one! The exam itself was very tricking. The wording constantly made me want to second guess myself. Definitely focus on therapeutic communication! Lots of different questions on that. I had about 2 med calculations (very simple) It was mostly questions about nursing diagnoses and what would be expected outcomes for this nursing diagnoses blah blah. which would take priority ineffective airway breathing or ineffective coping. things like that. I would definitely know the nursing process like that back of your hand. Other than that there were a few questions on how you would handle a patient swallowing a poison, so study that ( its in studygroup notes) and a some questions about pressure ulcers and skin vesicles. But let me tell you, KNOW therapeutic nursing relationship. reflecting, clarifying, repression, displacement. that kind of thing. AGAIN i recommend taking the provided practice exams. I got a 71% on the form B exam the night before my test and I was so worried I wasnt prepared, but ended up passing with an A!!
Now to take this Foundations of nursing exam! I am open to anyones advice if they have taken this exam, and will be glad to share so insight and motivation for all my fellow excelsior Nursing students!! good luck to all!
I really hope people arent giving away those StudyGroup101 guides. They are very fairly prices and just great. Everyone should buy them so they can continue their great work.
Although, i dont think the audio files were very useful. Might just be my learning style though.
I used study group 101 the study guide and the audio and passed it. It wasn't easy and I would have liked an a but I didn't get one, but at this point as pass is a pass!!!. Follow the syllabus and study all the sections I do the practice exams, the study guide and all the quizzes and review the questions I missed until I test. The audio cd really comes in handy driving back and forth to work. I recommend it.
wow 2 weeks to study ? that is super encouraging... I am going to pace myself at 4 weeks depending on the material....right now still trying to conquer Micro thank you for your post!!!
. My advice for anyone is to take the time to study. Its especially hard when you work full time and have kids but hey we want to be RNs right? Anyways as long as the motivation is there (since its self study) we will be fine!! 
thank you for your post!!!
WorseNurse
83 Posts
I really hope people arent giving away those StudyGroup101 guides. They are very fairly prices and just great. Everyone should buy them so they can continue their great work.
Although, i dont think the audio files were very useful. Might just be my learning style though.